My mom knits and hand quilts while watching TV. It's amazing how much she gets done. Good luck to you as you try it out!

I am trying to get a ton of stuff ready for a fall craft show and I have to make use of every second of my time. I have carefully plotted my projects so that at any given moment I have machine-ready piece (piecing, machine quilting) and a hand-ready piece (applique, binding, burying thread ends from machine quilting (which takes me far longer than it probably should - anyone have any suggestions on that one?), design work with paper and pencil, hand embroidery). This way when someone calls on the phone when I am using my machine I can just switch to a hand project, or when watching TV or listening to a good radio show. I like the feeling of always having a little something to work on...

Alison

I try to machine during the day and hand work at night. In general, I'm doing a top, usually mornings and hand quilt at night. BUT I force myself to stay with just 2 projects at a time. I must finish one before I can move on to the next.

I agree I have two quilts I am in the process of handquilting but I am also working on some lapquilt that will be completely machine sewn and machine quilted. I still do have some time restictions but I am looking forward to not having them.

My first few quilts were hand pieced and hand quilted back in the 80's . I took my first class from an old school teacher. Personally I think everyone should do at least one. The reason being It shows you how the peices go together one at a time. I can look at most quilts (when my oldhiemers isn't working) and know how they are put together. I feel if I only did strip piecing I wouldn't be able too. Maybe some can not me. And the look is different than machine down too. I use to sit and watch tv and hand quilt and hand piece. I got quite a bit done.

I have sewed for many years and just started quilting about 4 years ago. I enjoy hand sewing the binding on and decided to try making a quilt by hand. I am now working in making a grandmother's flower garden quilt with 1 /12 inch hexagons. I have all my flowers made and now am working hand sewing them all together and have almost half done.

I was able to take a small tote with me most everywhere and work on my hexagons. No more wasted time watching TV. And the time waiting on DD to get out of school and practice passed very quickly.

I had the same problem when I was first Retired. There had to be a "system." So, this is how I did it, and it really works! When I have finished quilting in the afternoons that I really quilt, I get some piece ready to do/finish by hand. Then in the aft. or eve. when I don't care if I watch tv or not while quilting, I go to the sewing room and use the machine. That really works!
If I want to machine sew in the eve. while watching tv with DH, I use the featherweight, which stays set up at all times.
This has really helped me get more done and enjoy it more.
Mariah.

I am just getting ready to make up some kits for hand quilting. I can no longer sit in front of a SM for long at a time; must think again of hand work. I, too, mark my 1/4" seam line. It surely helps when piecing. Go for it.

This is the reason I make "quilt as you go" quilts. The pieces can go with me and fill in areas of waiting time.

The quilt police be ignored:I hand quilt sections of my quilt where it is easily seen..I machine sections where design is buried Ianthe fabric pattern. Some of both lets me actually get a quilt done (which is better than perfect).